Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew has become the focal point of a growing controversy after accusing the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, of demanding a multimillion-naira bribe linked to the leadership of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Here are key facts about Adeyemi and the controversy surrounding him:
He claims he was appointed to lead the PFIPC
Adeyemi said he was appointed as head of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), which he described as a government agency created to attract foreign intervention funds and investments into Nigeria.
He alleges he paid ₦600 million for the appointment
According to Adeyemi, he paid ₦400 million upfront and still owed ₦200 million to secure his appointment as head of the council.
He accuses Gbajabiamila of demanding a share of the council’s grant
The businessman alleged that his relationship with Gbajabiamila deteriorated after he refused an alleged demand that 48 per cent of the council’s proposed ₦27.39 billion take-off grant be paid as gratification.
Gbajabiamila has denied the allegations
The Chief of Staff has dismissed the claims as false and baseless, maintaining that the PFIPC is not a recognised agency of the Federal Government.
Adeyemi insists the council existed
Rejecting the Presidency’s position, Adeyemi claimed the PFIPC:
- Operated from offices within the Federal Secretariat in Abuja
- Maintained naira and foreign currency accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria
- Had more than 300 staff allegedly approved through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation
- Received over ₦1.3 billion in budgetary allocation
- Held official meetings with senior government officials
He claims to have met top government officials
Adeyemi said he held meetings with several high-ranking public officials, including Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, including its chairman.
These claims have fueled public debate over whether the council truly existed and the extent of its operations.
The matter is drawing legal attention
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has indicated he is representing Adeyemi, suggesting the dispute could move further into legal proceedings if necessary.
No official conclusion yet
As of now, no court or investigative agency has established the truth of either side’s claims. The allegations remain unproven, while the Presidency continues to reject them.
Why the controversy matters
The dispute has sparked fresh concerns about transparency, government appointments and accountability in public office. If Adeyemi’s allegations are proven, they could expose serious misconduct. If they are disproved, they could amount to false accusations against senior government officials.
Until relevant authorities conclude their investigations, both sides’ claims remain allegations, with no final determination yet made.